Eighty-year-old Police volunteer Graham Dellow lost his arm and ear to cancer, but he’s never lost his drive to help others.
For 18 years, Graham has been volunteering at Timaru Police station cleaning cars, but Police's Timaru team agree he does a lot more than that.
No matter the weather, Graham turns up at the station around three times a week. He washes the cars, does odd jobs and shares a joke or two with staff as they come and go. He also spends a few hours in the weekend watching the crime cameras and volunteers with Community Patrol.
If that wasn’t enough - he is technically retired after all - Graham also mentors 24-year-old Tyson, and has done since Tyson was in high school. He helps Graham with the cars and other jobs around the station, including gardening.
Aoraki Area Commander Inspector Vicki Walker says Graham’s commitment to serving others despite his own setbacks is an inspiration.
“I’ve recycled through Timaru a few times in my career,” Vicki says, “and the one constant is Graham.
“It warms the heart, what he does for us. He keeps us in good shape, not just our cars but also our spirits, to go out there and serve our community.
“If half of us had the energy and commitment to help others that Graham has, we’d all be doing pretty well.”
Graham says he enjoys seeing new graduates arrive and watching them grow into their roles, but Vicki says he’s part of that growth.
“The relationship they have with Graham, and with Tyson, it’s pretty fantastic. We’re really lucky.”
Tyson learns on the job with Graham.
Born in Timaru, Graham held a variety of jobs before joining Placemakers, where he worked for 23 years. In 2003 he lost some fingers on his right hand to cancer.
He’s had a number of health challenges since then, including the amputation of his right arm and shoulder, but says his volunteer work and his Police friends help keep him alive.
“First thing when I came out of hospital, I came here,” Graham says. “It’s like a second home.
“I get to see what other people don’t see. I see them come back to the station after their shift, get out of their car and just stand there, dazed. Every time they see someone in trouble, it hurts them.
“I take my hat off to every one of them and I go home with a happy heart knowing that I have helped, even if it’s just a little.”
Graham started helping when his son Brendon and daughter-in-law Kylie were both police officers in the area. Brendon was visiting Timaru when Graham was washing the Community Patrol car, so he offered to wash Brendon’s car too.
“I thought to myself 'This is something I could do to help',” so he approached then-Area Commander Inspector Dave Gaskin and offered his services for free.
Graham's friends threw him a surprise 80th birthday celebration at Timaru Police Station.
Last month, Graham's friends at Timaru Police Station organised a surprise birthday celebration for his 80th.
Among the guests paying their respects were Canterbury District Commander Superintendent Tony Hill, former Area Commander Dave Gaskin, current Area Commander Vicki and representatives from the Air Training Corps, Community Patrol, Neighbourhood Watch and the St Mary’s Church community, as well as friends and family.
The celebration was held at the station, where guests shared morning tea and swapped stories. In fact it was a week of celebrations for Graham, who was also featured on 1News Good Sorts following a nomination from Constable Abby McIlroy.
“I nominated Graham because his presence here is so important,” says Abby. “He’s just so happy. Even if I’m having a bad day, he turns up and always makes me feel better. He’s always up for a joke and a yarn.
“He’s such a great human.”
Constable Abby McIlroy nominated Graham for 1News Good Sorts.